The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormones help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should.

Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating your weight, body temperature, muscle strength and even your mood.

Thyroid panel test:

The thyroid panel is used to see how well the thyroid gland is functioning. The thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that are important for many bodily processes. Abnormal thyroid function, such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can lead to a wide range of symptoms. By measuring levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, the thyroid panel can help diagnose thyroid disorders and disrupted thyroid function.

A thyroid panel can also be used to monitor the treatment of hyperthyroidism and assess patients receiving levothyroxine therapy. Levothyroxine therapy replaces or supplements thyroid hormones that are reduced or absent due to hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and goiter.

The thyroid panel uses one blood sample to test for multiple elements related to thyroid function. Specifically, it measures the amounts of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones in the body.

Three hormones are part of a standard thyroid panel:

• T3 (triiodothyronine)
• T4 (thyroxine)
• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

Sample: Thyroid panel requires a blood sample

When to get tested for Thyroid Panel Test?

• When you have signs and symptoms suggesting underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) due to a condition affecting the thyroid.
• When you have an enlarged thyroid (goiter) or a thyroid nodule (a small lump on the thyroid gland that may be solid or a fluid-filled cyst).

The signs of an underactive thyroid include slow heart rate, weight gain, enlarged thyroid, dry skin, constipation, trouble tolerating cold, pain in the muscle and joints, puffy skin, thinning of hair, hair loss, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, heavy or irregular menstrual periods and infertility in women.

The signs of an overactive thyroid include rapid heart rate, anxiety, weight loss, difficulty in sleeping, tremors in the hands, muscle weakness, increased sweating, difficulty in tolerating heat, frequent bowel movements, puffiness around the eyes, dryness, irritation, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, blurry double vision, bulging of eyes and lighter or less frequent menstrual periods in women.